Thanks for the tips so far! Still seeking: "X-Drive transfer case: Need further advice (understood NOT ATF, but is the stock BMW fluid full synthetic or is there anything better?)"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bdc101
What's your trailer weigh fully loaded? You know the V8s were rated either 5,500 or 6,000lbs towing capacity, right?
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Trailer gross is twice that rating, but it's rarely THAT fully loaded. I chose SUVs (choose SAV) over trucks for various reasons beyond the scope of this thread. Any tow vehicle's rating is necessarily determined by its weakest link.
My prior non-BMW SUV towing failures have included one (1) heat-related mechanical engine failure, one (1) heat-related rear diff failure, two (2) AWD transfer case failures, and three (3) automatic transmisssion failures (one apparently from heat alone, one when a belt took out an ATF cooler line, and one when the transfer case failed putting sudden additional load into the trans while in OD). I've dealt with the usual issues including tire blowouts at speed, but only because everything else was matched to the task. I've also heard of, but never myself encountered, a front diff failure.
I presume the pre-facelift E53 was probably limited by it's transmission's max torque, the post-facelift by it's lighter duty hitch, and anything other than a 4.8 by its brakes. Taking the best of each, plus heavy-duty shocks and brake components, an oversized weight-distributing hitch (I think this is key), and a quality aftermarket trailer brake controller, I'm fairly certain that the next weakest link would be some part of the drivetrain. Hence, my quest for the best full-synthetic lubes for every component (and potentially additional coolers but only as needed). Make sense?